Bivent cast and adjuster

ABSTRACT

The bivent cast adjuster of the present invention is composed of structure designed to be incorporated in a cast, applied to a portion of the body of a human or other animate being during the application of the cast and before it hardens. This structure designates one or more areas where the cast may be cut with the structure thereafter utilized for securely maintaining the cut parts in the proper adjusted fixed relation. The invention also contemplates the use of shims of appropriate thickness to maintain the separated parts in the desired relation and proximity.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Yngurd M. Fehlau 154 So. Brunswick St., Old Town, Maine 04468 [21] Appl. No. 828,549 [22] Filed May 28, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 4, 1972 [54] BIVENT CAST AND ADJUSTER 2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 128/90, 128/91 A [51] Int. Cl. A611 5/04 [50] Field of Search 128/90, 91, 84; 24/201, 208, 211

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 99,508 10/1870 Williams 24/201 626,433 8/1899 Libaire 24/208 817,946 4/1906 Williams... 128/91 2,480,849 6 1949 Gersh et a1 l28/9l 2,862,267 3/1958 Parkin 24/208 X 3,085,569 4/1963 Cook et al. 128/91 FOREIGN PATENTS 824,483 8/1938 France 128/91 OTHER REFERENCES A Simple and Efficient Method of Securing Bivalved Casts in Position by P. V. Hutchinson, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol. 35- A, No. 3, July 1953, pp. 762- 763.

Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko Attorneys-A. Yates Dowell and A. Yates Dowell, Jr.

PATENTEDJAN 41922 31631355 Y/V6U/70 M. FZHL A U ATToRnEx js BIVENT CAST AND ADJUSTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention is in the field of surgery bandages in which (1) cotton is applied, (2) gauze is next wrapped about the cotton, and (3) a relatively soft plastic is applied thereover of the kind which hardens in a relatively short time.

2. Description of the Prior Art Surgery bandage of many kinds have been provided including those in which a rigid relatively hard cast has a sofi lining, but such casts have lacked the desired comfort and flexibility and have been too in nature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS The invention is a bivent cast adjuster of a structure having one or more relatively thin flat two-part portions with pins and sockets or other cooperative interfitting members for maintaining the same in a relatively fixed position but allowing proximity adjustment. The interfitting members have openings which facilitate the intimate integration of the same with the plastic in which they are imbedded prior to the hardening of the latter, thus providing a composite unitary structure. The two-part portions have abutting faces which indicate where the cast may be cut and thereafter the cooperating parts form the sole joining structure and maintain the parts of the cast which are cut apart in a definite adjusted relation.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple inexpensive practical and eflicient bivent cast adjuster which can be readily produced and both easily applied and used. Another object of the invention is to provide bivent cast adjuster structure of an improved character which will be of benefit both to the patient and the doctor in that it gives greater flexibility and comfort to the patient and facilitates the treatment by the doctor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrating the use of the invention in connection with a cast applied to the arm.

FIG. la is a similar view with a cast applied to the foot and leg.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section along the split on v DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In accordance with the present invention, a cast is applied to the appropriate portion of the body as, for example, to the arm as illustrated in FIG. 1, to the leg as illustrated in FIG. la, or other portion of the body, including to the body of a human or other animate being, such as for example a pet animal. Such cast is designed to maintain a degree of immobility for the portion of the body to which applied. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cast may be composed of a layer of relatively soft material such as cotton, in the form of batting if preferred, for the comfort of the patient about which cotton 1 l is wrapped gauze l2 and then a plastic substance such as plaster 13 in a roll or other form. A cast of this kind, regardless of how skillfully applied, sometimes becomes uncomfortable in certain locations for various reasons, including rough spots and friction areas due to the movement of the portion of the body to which applied. Discomfort is occasioned at times due to the fact that the arm 14, the wrist 15 and the hand 16 are subject to flexing and twisting. Discomfort also is occasioned by change of dimension caused by swelling, shrinking, friction and abrasion.

Casts of this general character are chipped away, cut and otherwise modified as necessary for what appears to be indicated subsequent to the time of application and without any indication of where the cast is to be cut. Accordingly the present invention supplies this deficiency and when the adjuster is incorporated it provides a definite indication whereby the cast may be cut and after it is cut the adjuster serves to maintain the pars in a definite relation.

A cast applied to the arm as illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises relatively flat complementary members 17 and 18 having relatively thin flat external end portions 19 and 20 with openings 21 and 22 into which the plastic material may be received for intimate integration and attachment of the adjuster in the plastic of the cast in which it is incorporated. The adjuster incorporating portions of the adjuster are thickened only sufficiently to allow for a pin or projection 23 and an opening or socket 24 into which the pin is received with a close fit. The pin and socket may be circular in cross section or of other configuration, the main consideration being the maintenance of the relatively flat members 17 and 18 in substantially the same general plane and with the ability to move slightly toward and from each other.

The invention contemplates the use of one or more spacing elements 25 and 26 of desired thickness for location between opposite portions about the projection 23. The adjacent abutting surfaces between spaced adjusters form a line 27 and indicate where the cast may be cut, a line being drawn between spaced adjusters so that the cut may be along such line. After the cast is cut along this line, the segments of the cast may be separated and rejoined and held together by straps 28 and buckles 29.

The cast of FIG. 1a is similar to that of FIG. 1 since it includes members 17 and 18 with the line 27' for the cut and with the upper portion of the cast held together after being cut by the strap 28 and buckle 29 and with the strap 28' and buckle 29 applied in two directions around the instep and the rear of the leg and with another shorter strap 28 applied around the ball of the foot near the toes. If desired, adhesive straps 30 may be applied to hold the loose ends of the straps snugly.

It will be understood from the foregoing that a bivent cast adjuster is provided, a suitable number of which may be determined by the nature and size of the cast. The plastic material contained in a roll is dipped in water and wound about the member of the patient with the cast adjusters left exposed, or the material of the cast cut away to expose the adjusters before the plastic material has had time to harden or set. It also will be understood that the bivent cast adjuster of the present invention may be produced in quantity and retained available for use by the medical profession.

I claim:

1. In a two-part surgical cast, the improvement comprising a cast adjuster having a first member substantially imbedded in one part of the cast and a cooperating second member substantially imbedded in the other part of the cast, said first member having an enlargement at one end, a relatively smooth projection extending outwardly from said enlargement, the opposite end of said first member having means for anchoring said first member in said one part of the cast, said second member having an enlarged portion at one end, the enlarged portion of said second member having a relatively smooth socket adapted to cooperatively receive the projection of said first member, the opposite end of said second member having means for anchoring said second member in the other part of said cast and in alignment with said first member, and spacer means having openings of a size to receive said projections and located intermediate the enlargements of said first and second members to space one part of the cast from the other part, whereby the two-part surgical cast can be removed and reapplied.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said means for anchoring said first and second members includes at least one opening in each of the opposite ends, said openings adapted to receive cast material when the cast is applied. 

1. In a two-part surgical cast, the improvement comprising a cast adjuster having a first member substantially imbedded in one part of the cast and a cooperating second member substantially imbedded in the other part of the cast, said first member having an enlargement at one end, a relatively smooth projection extending outwardly from said enlargement, the opposite end of said first member having means for anchoring said first member in said one part of the cast, said second member having an enlarged portion at one end, the enlarged portion of said second member having a relatively smooth socket adapted to cooperatively receive the projection of said first member, the opposite end of said second member having means for anchoring said second member in the other part of said cast and in alignment with said first member, and spacer means having openings of a size to receive said projections and located intermediate the enlargements of said first and second members to space one part of the cast from the other part, whereby the two-part surgical cast can be removed and reapplied.
 2. The structure of claim 1 in which said means for anchoring said first and second members includes at least one opening in each of the opposite ends, said openings adapted to receive cast material when the cast is applied. 